Kishore Kumar’s voice played a significant role in shaping Rajesh Khanna‘s career, especially in Aradhana (1969), where his songs became timeless hits. This film marked the first collaboration between Kishore Kumar and Khanna, turning the latter into a superstar. Tracks like ‘
Mere Sapno Ki Rani
Kab Ayegi Tu,’ ‘Roop Tera Mastana,’ and ‘Kora Kagaz Tha Yeh Man Mera’ remain popular even today.
Rajesh Khanna once addressed the topic of lip-syncing in his films, explaining that while he did not actually sing the songs, his voice often matched the playback singer’s tone. He acknowledged that the voice you hear in the songs is that of the playback singer, but the resemblance between their voices made it feel like his own. He humorously admitted that while the playback singer could sing, he himself could not.
The veteran star shared in an old interview that he was deeply influenced by Kishore Kumar’s voice, especially after hearing the song ‘Mere Sapno Ki Rani Kab Ayegi Tu’ from Aradhana. He felt that the song felt so connected to him, as if the two—his on-screen presence and Kishore Kumar’s voice—were one, creating an inseparable bond. This moment marked a significant turning point in his career, where he felt truly transformed by the collaboration.
Manna Dey’s iconic song ‘Zindagi Kaise Ye Paheli’ from Anand was initially intended as a background track, but Rajesh Khanna loved it so much that he convinced director Hrishikesh Mukherjee to create a scene around it. While Rajesh Khanna was famously paired with Kishore Kumar, his collaboration with Manna Dey was equally impactful. Additionally, Anand featured another memorable track, ‘Maine Tere Liye,’ sung by Mukesh, who was often seen as the voice of other legendary actors like Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor.
Rajesh Khanna’s rise to stardom was intertwined with Kishore Kumar’s incredible
playback singing
. Their collaboration produced some of the most unforgettable tracks in Bollywood, with Kishore’s voice perfectly capturing the essence of Rajesh’s on-screen persona. The success of their songs not only solidified Rajesh Khanna’s fame but also helped elevate their films into timeless classics.
